Magic would make history if they end Heat's winning streak at 26 games

Orlando Magic players, coaches and executives hope to make their own history someday. They envision a time when their team will contend for championships and command the attention of basketball fans everywhere.

This season, however, the Magic's only chance to make history is to prevent the Miami Heat from breaking a 41-year-old NBA record.

On Monday night, the Magic will try to end the Heat's winning streak at 26 games, seven victories shy of matching the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers' 33-game winning streak.

"We have nothing to lose," Magic point guard Jameer Nelson said.

"We can go out there and just play. They have everything to lose. It's on us to go out there and play loose, play free and play together and just leave it out there."

Just how big a game is it?

Big enough that ESPN officials rearranged their broadcasting schedule to televise Monday night's game to a national audience. (The ESPN broadcast will be blacked out in the Orlando area, but the game can be seen in Orlando on Fox Sports Florida.)

A sellout crowd is expected to pack Amway Center, and Magic players expect one of the arena's most electric atmospheres this season.

"The number-one team in the NBA is coming into town," said rookie Kyle O'Quinn, who could start for the Magic at center.

"Plus, the loyal fans we already have, mixed with fans that just want to see the Heat, it's going to be alive in here. With them trying to make their streak longer and us trying to break it, the level's going to be high. We're ready for it."

A Magic victory would be unexpected.

With starters Glen Davis and Arron Afflalo already out with injuries, Orlando could play without center Nik Vucevic, who is recovering from a mild concussion he suffered on March 19.

Vucevic has been the Magic's most effective player this season against the Heat, averaging 22.5 points and 25.0 rebounds in two games.

On March 4 in Miami, the Magic trailed the Heat by 20 points in the third quarter but fought back to take a three-point lead with 1:36 remaining.

But Chris Bosh hit a pair of free throws, and LeBron James made a driving layup with 3.2 seconds remaining to give the Heat the win.

The victory extended the Heat's winning streak to 16 games.

On Sunday, the Magic repeatedly used the word "impressive" to describe what the Heat have accomplished during their streak.

"Wow, it's impressive," coach Jacque Vaughn said. "To do it night after night and to get your opponent's best shot, which is normally what they're getting, it's extremely impressive. I think it's a direct testament to their coach and how he gets them ready to play and then to the players, who ultimately perform on the floor."

During the 2005-06 season, Vaughn played for the New Jersey Nets when the Nets won 14 consecutive games.

Last season, Vaughn worked as a San Antonio Spurs assistant coach as the Spurs ended the regular season with 10 wins and then won their first 10 playoff games.

"You fight a lot of things," Vaughn said.

"You fight the urge to relax. You fight your different opponents and how you have to get yourself prepared on a nightly basis. And, then, when you're at the level that the Heat are right now, you're fighting the scrutiny of the outside things that's going on: the media attention, the fact that guys are extremely competitive in this league. You're getting people's best shots."

On Monday night, the Magic intend to give their best shot.

Whatever happens, the highlights will lead "SportsCenter."

"Hopefully, we're leading them the right way," O'Quinn said.

jbrobbins@tribune.com. Read his blog at OrlandoSentinel.com/magicblog and follow him on Twitter at @JoshuaBRobbins.